Appointment of Intelligence Officer as Kashmir Interlocutor: ‘Initiative died before it started: Aiyar

New Delhi, Oct 26: Reacting over the appointment of interlocutor for sustained dialogue in Kashmir, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar Thursday said that the initiative taken by Modi government has died before it started.

“It would have been far better if the appointed interlocutor would have any political background. It is astonishing that instead of appointing a political stalwart like Yashwant Sinha, Government of India preferred an Intelligence Officer. This has sent a wrong signal to the people of Kashmir who have completely lost faith in Indian political system,” Aiyar told Kashmir based news agency CNS.

Mani Shankar Aiyar said though he is glad that for the first time after assuming charge of the country Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent an interlocutor instead of pellet guns and PAVA shells, but this decision to appoint an Intelligence Officer will not yield any results.

“I am not enthusiastic about this development as I know what for this Intelligence Officer has been nominated. For me this initiative has died before its commencement,” he said.

Responding to a question, Mani Shankar Aiyar said that he can’t suggest or give any advice to Hurriyat leaders. “They are the best judge and if they feel the initiative is good and will yield positive results, they can talk. Let us hope for the best and see what will happen in coming days,” he said. (CNS)